Joseph Ricketts
Joseph Ricketts
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I Snorkeled a Dying Spring
Since it was already a gloomy day, it seemed as good a time as any to explore this sick spring (as in physically/ecologically sick not radical sick). Despite freshwater systems being vital to all of life on Planet Earth, these environments often experience some of the biggest threats and challenges. If we truly love these underwater habitats, we gotta learn how to protect them - clean water forever, baby.
For more resources and details on Florida Springs, pollution sources, and how you can help protect freshwater systems, please check out these organizations!
floridaspringsinstitute.org/
www.floridaspringscouncil.org/
00:00 Intro/Prep
01:56 Up to the Headspring
10:14 Algae Interlude
11:38 Down to the River
16:14 Outro
#snorkeling #floridasprings #freshwater #underwaterphotography #wildlife #freediving
Переглядів: 7 230

Відео

A Cold Night Snorkeling a Cypress Swamp Spring
Переглядів 21 тис.14 днів тому
On a cold winter night (for Florida), my friends and I did a night dive in a Florida spring that is surrounded by cypress trees. We saw some neat wildlife as we snorkeled beneath the towering cypresses and free-dove into the headspring. I also got a chance to fly my drone in the dark and the footage turned out surprisingly well! Thank you all so much for 20k subscribers!! My goal is to hit 100k...
Snorkeling for Alligator Snapping Turtles in a Blackwater River
Переглядів 5 тис.28 днів тому
On a very cold and sunny morning, I met up with my friends Bill and Katie to snorkel a blackwater river in Alabama with the hopes of finding alligator snapping turtles. The water was WAY cold, but conditions were incredible and we saw some amazing wildlife and a particularly large snapping turtle during our dive. As always, thank you all for watching! This is a little bit of a shorter video, bu...
Testing My Thalassophobia Diving a Fishing Pier at Night
Переглядів 361 тис.Місяць тому
I have been waiting forever for conditions to be good enough to free dive this fishing pier off the coast of the Florida Panhandle at night, and I finally got the chance. Conditions were less than ideal, but there was enough visibility to snorkel with and I ended up seeing some super unique wildlife hanging out under the pier as well as along some artificial reefs. This was a difficult dive tha...
Free Diving the California Coast and Catalina Island
Переглядів 63 тис.2 місяці тому
A family wedding brought us out to Los Angeles so, naturally, I tried to find someplace to get underwater during the trip, and what better spot than the California coast and the kelp forests of Catalina Island? Even now that I'm back in FL, I'm still thinking about sitting on the ocean floor and looking up at the giant kelp towering overhead. It's also just really hard to process how orange Gar...
I Spent 3 Days Snorkeling With Hellbenders
Переглядів 6 тис.2 місяці тому
Welcome to the 10K subscriber special! We ain’t in FL for this video folks. This Fall, I traveled up to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Southern Appalachia to film and photograph my all-time favorite salamander - the hellbender. Our trip overlapped with hellbender breeding season so there was plenty of amazing behavior happening in the river. This is the longest video I have ever made (so far) in m...
Night Snorkel with Alligators in a Florida Spring
Переглядів 11 тис.3 місяці тому
For the past year, I have been working on a photography project at night in one of Florida's springs. This windy evening, my friend Hunter (OldFloridaVibes) and I ventured out to see what wildlife was present in the spring after dark. I honestly wasn't expecting to see much, but turns out there were alligators, a snapping turtle, fish, and crabs all hanging out in the spring. Sorry for the dela...
Underwater With Baby Alligators in the Florida Prairie
Переглядів 6 тис.4 місяці тому
After waiting out a bit of rough weather, my friend Nick and I spent the night exploring a freshwater pond in the middle of the Florida prairie that just so happened to be home to a handful of juvenile alligators. The entire evening proved to be filled with wildlife, including a surprising bear encounter and loads of mosquitos. Thank you so much for 2.5k subscribers!! Every like and every sub h...
Night Snorkel in a Crystal Clear Florida River
Переглядів 731 тис.5 місяців тому
After a big rainstorm, my friend Nick and I set out to explore one of Florida's spring-fed rivers at night. The weather ended up being fantastic, and we saw an amazing array of wildlife and aquatic plants. It's always refreshing to see some of Florida's springs still lush with submerged aquatic vegetation as groundwater contamination from agricultural runoff threatens many of them with nitrogen...
Snorkeling for a Rare Turtle in the Florida Flats
Переглядів 8 тис.6 місяців тому
Myself and my friends (Nick, Bill, and Nick's dad) journeyed out along Florida's Gulf Coast with the hopes of finding a rarely seen turtle species - the diamondback terrapin. We also encountered a lot of unexpected wildlife along the way from dolphins to even a young tiger shark. This was easily one of the wildest saltwater habitats I have ever explored, and I'm super thankful to Nick for invit...
Backpacking to a Remote Florida Spring
Переглядів 8 тис.6 місяців тому
In late May, my friend Nick and I packed our free diving gear and underwater camera rigs into our backpacks and trekked out to a remote Florida spring in the middle of nowhere. There may not be any mountain passes or steep inclines, but there are still plenty of challenges facing those willing to explore the Florida backcountry, and we definitely encountered most of them. When the weather isn't...
Exploring a Florida Spring at NIGHT With a Macro Lens
Переглядів 6 тис.7 місяців тому
It's a whole new world in Florida's springs at night. Although wide-angle will forever be my favorite, it was exciting to explore the smaller details of nocturnal life in the springs through my 100mm macro lens. Although this spring was once filled with all sorts of grasses and leafy plants, it is now essentially an underwater desert. There are both environmental and human reasons for this, but...
Snorkel Review: John Pennekamp State Park Beach Entry
Переглядів 1,8 тис.8 місяців тому
A quick review of the John Pennekamp State Park snorkel beach (Cannon Beach). Located in Key Largo, FL, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park boasts a variety of habitats and is a great introduction to Key environments. Although the best snorkeling/diving is offshore, how good is the snorkeling right at the beach entry? If you enjoy the review, drop a comment and let me know where I should revie...
Filming Wild Alligators Underwater in South Florida
Переглядів 3,3 тис.9 місяців тому
Come with me on a trip to photograph and film alligators underwater in the greater Everglades ecosystem! American alligators are an iconic Florida species. Although they can get a bad rap, these living dinosaurs play a variety of important roles in their environment. Once listed as a threatened species, the Florida population is now estimated to be over 1.5 million and is considered a conservat...
Early Morning Snorkel with Manatees in a Spring
Переглядів 4,1 тис.10 місяців тому
Crazy to see a manatee interacting with a snapping turtle - and I nearly floated right past it! I'm in the middle of a photography project that has had me out at the springs very early in the morning (with some occasional all-nighters). These early mornings are rough, but it gives me the chance to see some breathtaking sunrises and wildlife. Hope you enjoy spending a morning with me at the spri...
Searching for Gar in a Florida Spring
Переглядів 2,1 тис.11 місяців тому
Searching for Gar in a Florida Spring
This is What a Healthy Florida Spring Should Look Like
Переглядів 2,8 тис.Рік тому
This is What a Healthy Florida Spring Should Look Like
Snorkeling a Wild Florida Spring
Переглядів 1,4 тис.Рік тому
Snorkeling a Wild Florida Spring
My First Underwater YouTube Video
Переглядів 1,3 тис.Рік тому
My First Underwater UA-cam Video

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @Aedony
    @Aedony 22 секунди тому

    Breathtaking! I had goosebumps just watching. I hope we will never lose places like this.

  • @DownLocked
    @DownLocked Хвилина тому

    Thanks as always for your great educational videos! Thank you for explaining to folks the role the nitrogen plays in this degradation. There are things folks can do to prevent excess nutrients from entering springs. Small things like maintaining/converting septic systems, fertilizing responsibly or skipping it altogether, and picking up pet waste can make a big difference. Excess nitrogen is the main culprit for much of the damage done to our state’s springs. Thanks again Johnny, your work is so important to show folks the beauty of our world, as well as the impacts humans have.

  • @Aedony
    @Aedony 11 хвилин тому

    Wow, beautiful!

  • @gloryjones1071
    @gloryjones1071 22 хвилини тому

    I think it'll also take some statewide changes in FL to save springs like this. Agribusiness definitely needs some but also the constant development has been polluting our waters w/ their stormwater drainage systems, dodgy septic tanks, urban/suburban fertiliser use etc, especially down where I'm at in south FL. Thank you for putting this important work out there.

  • @Aedony
    @Aedony 25 хвилин тому

    The algae is probably what's keeping this spring from becoming toxic altogether. It's not nutrient poor enough for the plants which would usually take in the nutrients, but at least the algae is there to do the job. It is really sad to see, especially compared to what it was. Do you know if there are any plans for restauration or something? Greetings from Germany :)

  • @s01chi-lr5oe
    @s01chi-lr5oe 52 хвилини тому

    detecting multiple leviathan class lifeforms are you certain whatever youre doing is worth it?

  • @uninteresting-content-dump
    @uninteresting-content-dump Годину тому

    randomly clicked on this video, and I'm very glad I did. great shots, great narration, calming music, and calming voice as well as delivery - subscribed. keep up the good work.

  • @kazuash7665
    @kazuash7665 Годину тому

    This is what i want to see.😩😩😩

  • @sammy2507
    @sammy2507 2 години тому

    You did it ,I'm from Germany 😊

  • @gorillaglu846
    @gorillaglu846 2 години тому

    Hero before he gets a million subs

  • @fredaxtpor
    @fredaxtpor 3 години тому

    WOW!

  • @SIMBA-tq2ch
    @SIMBA-tq2ch 3 години тому

    I love the idea of introduced species

  • @kevanyoung1016
    @kevanyoung1016 3 години тому

    I chose the wrong life 😂. I wonder if some native Florida plants could be planted densely enough to out compete the algae? Found your channel today. Thanks for sharing!

  • @Foiled_Foliage
    @Foiled_Foliage 3 години тому

    Smart. “I could easily have just swim around, but why risk it.” is something people need to ask themselves more often.

  • @pushingupdasies
    @pushingupdasies 3 години тому

    I really hate to see how much we destroy everything around us

  • @sirwittah
    @sirwittah 4 години тому

    late night find can be nice sometime🔥

  • @FUJIIDEW
    @FUJIIDEW 4 години тому

    Crazy how beautiful these random spots on our planet are. Would never even realize it without people like you.

  • @zorepr1me
    @zorepr1me 4 години тому

    your voice, so soothing your words like a poem, as i hear you, i stop the worry.

  • @pipsqueak631
    @pipsqueak631 5 годин тому

    First class video. I was surprised to see a killifish. And in Atlanta I have known of sterile Grass Carp to clean ponds.

  • @Sucralose2
    @Sucralose2 5 годин тому

    i KNOW that's cold!!! why did you get the suit wet before putting it on?? do you use like lotion or anything? Why not dry? just wanted to add, the photography is beautiful!! esp the commentary about species <3

  • @k.s.mountakis170
    @k.s.mountakis170 6 годин тому

    Yeah there's definitely something about his videos.

  • @BasiliskArt
    @BasiliskArt 6 годин тому

    what music do you use?

  • @josedemorla5211
    @josedemorla5211 6 годин тому

    Seeing this from germany, keep this kind of content up man

  • @Deleted11100
    @Deleted11100 7 годин тому

    It's so calm and peaceful! Try it wearing just shorts and jump into the North Sea off the coast of the UK, Norway, Sweden or Denmark brother. 100% respect for you facing your fear, but that sea is nothing man! You’ve never felt fear like it until your stood at the end of a pier looking into that dark green, unforgiving abyss, let alone what’s inside it. The sea alone, and it’s roaring, deafening noise, with massive unpredictable waves crashing into themselves in every direction. To think our ancestors crossed it on little wooden boats is absolutely insane, gives me chills thinking about it!

  • @mynickisalreadytaken
    @mynickisalreadytaken 8 годин тому

    Your Videos are really important. I hope you will continue, even if the initial wave of viewers drives on to new Algorythms. To have slow Videomaterial of underwater fresjwatersystems and its life is important. A lot of small Biotopes are seen as just some murky water places. Most bigger documentations handle sea Water or well known, action packed freshwater Animals. But this is so much more interesting here. At least for People interested in Biotopes and its life. To be able to look at these Habitatsystems on the other side of the Planet in such a high quality way.. thank you very much. Once these Habitats are gone forever, maybe there will be your Videos of them. Helping the future understand what was lost. Or changed.

  • @leannasty
    @leannasty 9 годин тому

    >Testing my Thalassophobia > 15 secs into the video: "I don't actually have thalassophobia" righto m8

  • @lt7388
    @lt7388 9 годин тому

    Poor riparian zone and soil microbiome that doesn't uptake and filter nutrient resulting in nitrification and bloom of algae species not edible to aquatic Fauna, Every urban area has this problem, at least the algae means it's still fixable because it still supports life

  • @elstondameron-drew3871
    @elstondameron-drew3871 10 годин тому

    Such great content. It's sad to see the impact we have had on our water system.

  • @nathanchan5863
    @nathanchan5863 11 годин тому

    Super interesting, different from the springs in Hawaii

  • @trystanfranziskus
    @trystanfranziskus 11 годин тому

    well that one day arrived early bc I'm european lol

  • @loganmelvin5211
    @loganmelvin5211 12 годин тому

    I have never seen any content from you before but I have to say this was very moving, and the quality is punching way higher than the sub count. This was beautiful.

  • @UserRjt
    @UserRjt 12 годин тому

    Joesph ricketts you by any chance related to Landon Ricketts

  • @shuzeky5071
    @shuzeky5071 12 годин тому

    some of the most beautiful and pure content on youtube. love the vids

  • @janinacooper4199
    @janinacooper4199 13 годин тому

    I loved how you called the hog chokers “tiny camouflaged weirdos”, that’s pretty funny. Great video overall, as usual. Thank you for sharing.

  • @Whislon
    @Whislon 13 годин тому

    Yo these videos are amazing thanks for putting in the effort just to make your viewers days a little bit better. ❤

  • @angeldreamzzz9692
    @angeldreamzzz9692 13 годин тому

    17:38 omg what a sad turn of events wasn’t expecting me to be sad lol

  • @angeldreamzzz9692
    @angeldreamzzz9692 13 годин тому

    How close are you to them?

  • @baronvonsauna
    @baronvonsauna 13 годин тому

    It’s truly not an “irrational “ fear when it’s referring to the ocean. There’s almost more things that can un alive you than that can’t in there.😂

  • @miguelpinto7813
    @miguelpinto7813 14 годин тому

    Hi from Portugal, you've reached overseas like you were saying in the video, loving your content

  • @MrJaredism
    @MrJaredism 14 годин тому

    This is like watching a poem.

  • @lukemitchell9183
    @lukemitchell9183 15 годин тому

    Brother man with another awesome video ❤

  • @hartski9396
    @hartski9396 15 годин тому

    your content is amazing man. i been having some health struggles lately and just watching some of your content has helped calm me down, i really like the information and videography you provide man, keep it up!

  • @jhenry1408
    @jhenry1408 16 годин тому

    I have chickenshitiphobia. It's where watching videos of people diving at night scare me.

  • @Sun_Dr0
    @Sun_Dr0 16 годин тому

    This is very zen lol

  • @hartski9396
    @hartski9396 16 годин тому

    this is awesome i’m subscribing you’re gonna go places man

    • @josephrickettsphoto
      @josephrickettsphoto 16 годин тому

      @@hartski9396 Hey thanks so much, that means a ton! Welcome to the channel :)

  • @anthonyjames4319
    @anthonyjames4319 17 годин тому

    Which pier is this? What town

  • @chickenjoe6528
    @chickenjoe6528 17 годин тому

    It amazes me how clear the water is even though its dying

    • @josephrickettsphoto
      @josephrickettsphoto 16 годин тому

      @@chickenjoe6528 For sure. Sometimes it’s what’s unseen though that gets ya. The nitrogen levels are really high, which isn’t visible to the naked eye other than just seeing the algae which is the result of it. Another way springs die is by their flow getting stopped. Overpumping is another big issue in FL and some springs have completely stopped flowing from a result of it.

    • @angeldreamzzz9692
      @angeldreamzzz9692 13 годин тому

      @@josephrickettsphotocan humans intervene like a fish tank

  • @zacktimmons2886
    @zacktimmons2886 17 годин тому

    You certainly filled a niche with this channel. I know I’m not the only person who searches specifically for people diving at night ect.. I hope your channel takes off and you can travel far and wide… hopefully this spring can recover one day

    • @josephrickettsphoto
      @josephrickettsphoto 16 годин тому

      @@zacktimmons2886 Hey thanks so much man, that’s very kind! Definitely more night dives ahead, but still lots of cool things to see when the suns out haha. Both of those things would be really cool, but yeah really hope this spring can recover one day

  • @Samisnoyce
    @Samisnoyce 18 годин тому

    Love the video man wonder if there is a real way to counter the algae

    • @josephrickettsphoto
      @josephrickettsphoto 16 годин тому

      @@Samisnoyce Thank you! One way is by limiting your own use of fertilizer. But for these springs, it’s really the land use within the springshed (the area where all the groundwater for this region collects) that needs to change. We need better incentives and support for agriculture to limit its impact on aquatic systems. Sometimes it gets literally vacuumed out, but that’s just slapping a bandaid on a disease sadly

  • @GhostCaver
    @GhostCaver 19 годин тому

    I believe this is Hart Springs if I remember correctly, if anyone is curious